Savannah morning news. [volume] (Savannah) 1868-1887, 1887-04-05


justice TO them, wish TO make state
ment."
"Well, would like to hear from you
whether you consider them secular or
nOtT
II can state facts" the attorney OBJ
served. 81 have no interest in this or
ganizatlOn except as private citizen. l
have attended their meetings twice, once
in Atlanta and once here. / neither heard
| nor saw ANYTHING that was at all ohiec-
| tionable. Not single thing was done or
said, so far as l could discover, that was
not conducive to the best Interests
OF those hearing. believe from
seen Of them that they have
done great deal OF practical good. They
have been Endorsed by the highest
| churchmen. | would not hesitate to 90
to their meeting at any time it was con-
venient TO do so, unless l had reason to
fear tue presence OF rouGhs who might
create disturbance, which could be
| prevented, however, by having an officer
there | consider that they are doing
good work. SO far rs l could see they are
strictly religious in their advice and
! teachings, although their methods are
| novel. The sentiments of the songs were
orthodox. The eXhortations are against
| drunkenness. vice and immortality. The
| speakers preached a practical plain re-
/
their services could be construed 10 be
| secular"
THE CHIEFS TESTIMONY.
At this juncture Gen. Anderson en- tered
! the court room ana Mayor Lester. adj
| dressing him said: General, L want to
| know under what ordinance this matter
| comes"
Tho Chief OF Police turned over the
pages OF Rebarer's Digest until he came
| to page 17S, when he pointed out the Sec
tions which Sergt. Lee had indicated.
| Proceeding to examine the Chief his
honor asked: "Do you know anything
of the nature of the meetingsY
Nothing at all. | heard that you had
granted them permission TO march on the
streets up to 8 O'Clock at night. Lieut..
Green informed me that he had received
information that the Army had threat
ened TO parade the streets at night. l
ordered him 10 arrest them if they at
tempted it. | considered their perfor-
nance of q brass band in the ball viO-
latiOn of the sanctity OF the Sabbath. |
considered their performance secular"
"Do you know whether the songs were
secular?"
81 was informed by Sergt. Lee that the
music was secular"
did you KNOW anything about it OF
your personal knOWledge?"
II did not"
BANDS IN THE CHURCHES.
Brass bands have been used on the
streets at times on Sundays, have they
notW cross.eXamined Mr.. Adams.
"Only by volunteer companies"
"1ou have never heard OF any being in
a church~
''No, sir, and l know nothing OF my
own knowledge concerning the character
OF these services"
suppose church was to have regu-
| lar brass band at its service on Sunday,
| would you consider 1t your duty to inter-
| fere?' Mr.. Adams continued.
''lf 1t took place In a hall l think l
! would"
| III a church congregation was to hold
services In hall with brass band on
Sunday would you order arrests?"
II think | would II it was conducted on
the style learn this was"
That about concluded the testimony
and Mr.. Adams spoke briefly.
MR.. ADAMS ARGUMENT.
81 submit" said be, that no violation
OF any ordinance has been shown, There
was certainly failure to show that il
was Tor secular pastime or amusement.
On the contrary, the act for which these
men were arrested appears to have been
strictly religious. Nothing has been pre-
sented that suggested the idea of amuse-
ment. People may differ as to their
methods, but they are surely doing a
strictly religious work. They were act
Ing according to their conscience, and
they were engaged in what
they thought thew had per-
feet right TO do. The constitution of
the State OF Georgia guarantees them the
full liberty TO worship God as they see
proper. They draw their teachings from
the Bible used by the churches. Their
songs are strictly religious in sentiment.
II men take their advice they will become
better husbands, fathers and citizens.
They preach against immortality, vice and
drunkenness. Some may think that thew
have more zeal than jud gment. 1t is true
that they resort 10 novel methods to reach
the class they are after, but judging from
their results they ought to be commended
and indorsed."
THE MAYORS DECISIoN,
In reviewing the case and giving
his decision Mayor Lester said ::
IL do not see that this ordinance has
been violated if 1t be a tact that this
society, church, Army, or whatever 1t is.
did not use the hall Tor secular purposes.
That is question of fact. There are a
great many religious sects in this world.
Some believe In one creed and some in
another. They have different modes of
worship, aud should hate 10 set myself
up as judge of the rights OF the different
sects to their own peculiar systems OF
worship. There is a novelty about this
organizations mode which, while il
hardly gives the right TO discriminate
against it, is calculated TO attract people
and create disturbances. | do not know
that that is fault of these defendants.
| This performance was not secular ac-
cording to the evidence. Their intentions
may be good or evil, but which l do not
know.
THE SALVATIONIsTS DISCHARGED.
81 do not know that they are not re-
liRious, and II they do not make a dis
turbance they do not violate any law.
Unless they are the direct cause OF dis
turbance don't think they are obnox-
ious TO the laws. can't say that the act
Of conducting "a religious service with a
brass band is dlsorderly. Ii "A cornet can
be used, why not violin or whole
orchestra in conjunction with an organ,
II not for secular purp0se7 and we
know that comets are used 1 have very
little inclination 10 make martyrs
OF these people. IL | was clear
that this was in violation OF the
spirit OF the ordinance 1t would be a diff
ierent matter. These may b. calculated
TO do more harm than good, and the occa-
sion Of this assemblage was followed by
disorder, as am informed. or course it